A Hunterdon County school board member stepped down a month before her term was set to end, following a prolonged controversy over allegations that she posted hate speech online in 2023.

Rebecca Petersen, who has served on Raritan Township’s Hunterdon Central Regional High School District Board of Education for three years, announced her recusal from the remainder of her term at the Nov. 17 board meeting.

“My time on this board has been mired in toxicity and bald hatred fomented by bad actors both within the district and in the public,” Petersen said during the meeting.

“People who placed their thirst for power and personal ideology above what is supposed to be the best interest of this district,” she added.

Board President Lisa Santangelo declined to comment on the matter.

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